Spotted linsang

Spotted linsang[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Viverridae
Subfamily: Prionodontinae
Genus: Prionodon
Species: P. pardicolor
Binomial name
Prionodon pardicolor
Hodgson, 1842
Spotted linsang range

The spotted linsang (Prionodon pardicolor) is a linsang found throughout much of Southeast Asia. It is widely, though usually sparsely, recorded, and listed as Least Concern by IUCN.[2]

Characteristics

The spotted linsang resembles the banded linsang in its long, slender body, short limbs, elongated neck and head, and long tail. The ground colour ranges from dusky brown to light buff. Two long stripes extend from behind the ears to the shoulders or beyond, and two shorter stripes run along the neck. Three to four longitudinal rows of spots adorn the back, their size decreasing towards the belly. The fore legs are spotted to the paw, the hind legs to the hock. The cylindrical tail has eight or nine broad dark rings, separated by narrow white rings. The feet have five digits, and the area between the pads is covered with hair. The claws are retractile, claw sheath are present on the fore paws, but the hind-paws have protective lobes of skin.[3] It weighs about 1 lb (0.45 kg) and measures in length from 14–15 in (36–38 cm), and the tail 12–13 in (30–33 cm). Its height is about 5–5.5 in (13–14 cm), the girth of its chest 5.75 in (14.6 cm), and length of head to the occiput about 3 in (7.6 cm).[4]

Distribution and habitat

The range of the spotted linsang includes eastern Nepal, Sikkim, Assam and Bengal in India, Bhutan, northeastern Myanmar, northern Thailand, Laos, northern Vietnam, and western Sichuan, Yunnan Guizhou and southwestern Guangxi in southern China. It is uncommon to rare throughout this range.[3] It is rarely observed in northern Bengal.[5]

Ecology and behaviour

The spotted linsang is nocturnal and solitary. It uses hollows in trees as resting and denning sites.[4] It hunts on the ground and in trees and feeds on rodents, frogs and snakes. It was also observed feeding on carcass.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Wozencraft, W.C. (2005). "Order Carnivora". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M. Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 532–628. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  2. 1 2 Duckworth, J.W.; Lau, M.; Choudhury, A.; Chutipong, W.; Timmins, R.J.; Willcox, D.H.A.; Chan, B.; Long, B. & Roberton, S. (2016). "Prionodon pardicolor". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2016: e.T41706A45219917. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T41706A45219917.en. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 Van Rompaey, H. (1995). The Spotted Linsang, Prionodon pardicolor. Small Carnivore Conservation 13: 10–13.
  4. 1 2 Hodgson, B. H. (1847). Observations on the manners and structure of Prionodon pardicolor. Calcutta Journal of Natural History 8: 40–45.
  5. ↑ Choudhury, A. U. (1999). Conservation of small carnivores (mustelids, viverrids, herpestids and one ailurid) in north Bengal, India. Small Carnivore Conservation 20: 15–17.


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